May 21st, 2016
PWG World Champion - Zack Sabre Jr (Since: All Star Weekend 12 - March 2016)
PWG World Tag Team Champions - The Young Bucks (Since: Mystery Vortex III - June 2015)
Commentators: Excalibur, Rick Knox, & Chris Hero
1) Adam Cole vs. Dalton Castle
Adam Cole in an opener?! This hasn't happened since, like, ever. Cole debuted in PWG in the co-main event slot alongside Kyle O'Reilly against The Young Bucks back in 2011 and is just now starting to see the lower side of the card, five years later. That's not an insult, though, because these days just being on a PWG card is a top notch spot right off the bat. This is Dalton Castle's second PWG match, I admittedly still haven't seen his debut as of this writing, but hey. I'll get to it! For now, we've got this really exciting match as he faces off with Adam Cole. The opening moments of this are something you wouldn't expect with Cole mocking the mannerisms of Castle only to nearly get reeled into a dance off. Cole soon shakes off the spell and tries to take control of things however the Party Peacock would be in the driver's seat for most of this match up. He hits one of the best dives I've ever seen (literally) and makes Reseda pop with the way he slides into a deadlift german that snaps Cole neck first onto the mat. Despite being in control for most of the contest, Castle would soon slip and Cole fired back with a lot of force and picked up the win. Good opener.
Match rating - ***
2) Michael Elgin vs. Kamaitachi
"And now I think Elgin has a little bit of vinegar in his piss." -Rick Knox
Broooooo. This was fucking great. Elgin was originally supposed to face Zack Sabre Jr tonight, but due to an injury, the card had to be changed up. That led us here to Kamaitachi's debut in the Guerrilla and boy, it was one hell of a time. Rick Knox made a good comparison between Kamaitachi and Akira Tozawa as far as where they were in their careers when they made their PWG/American debut. Interesting thing to think about. But, yeah. These two went out and had a spot fest and it ruled. Not much else to say. Awesome set of meteoras from Kamaitachi, unreal inside out falcon arrow for a nearfall from Elgin, bunch of high impact stuff that the crowd ate up. Elgin wins with a sit out power bomb.
Match rating - ***1/4
3) Marty Scurll vs. Mark Andrews
These British boys know how to party! Scurll played the villain here and man, he was a dick and it ruled, like always. All his variations of catching someone in the chicken wing is something to behold every time out. Scurll was on top for most of this match with Andrews having to fight from beneath and making several great comebacks. They did a number of awesome false finishes with Andrews getting caught in the chicken wing on several occasions only to make it to the ropes. This was honestly a pretty brutal match which isn't something you'd expect from these two, but Scurll is becoming quite the sadistic character. In the end, those villainous ways earned him the win as he snapped Andrews back into the chicken wing for what had to be the third time and Mandrews had no choice but to tap. Great back and forth match.
Match rating - ***3/4
4) Andrew Everett vs. Trevor Lee
It's Andrew Everett. It's Trevor Lee. You know what to expect. A bunch of crazy, unique, and dangerous flippy shit. This is their first meeting in PWG since their debut in 2014 where they met in a three way that also involved Cedric Alexander. This wasn't as memorable as that match, but it will certainly keep you on your toes with a number of breathtaking moments. Real fun match between these two like you would expect. Lee wins with a small package bomb from hell. That fucker is wild.
Match rating - ***1/4
5) Chris Hero vs. Jeff Cobb
Maybe I'm just a massive Chris Hero mark, but anything he's been involved in since say early 2015 has been gold from the start. This match was no different and is another spectacular contest to add to his resume. Jeff Cobb has been ripping up the SoCal Indy scene for a while so it was only a matter of time before he arrived in Reseda and what a debut he has here facing off against one of the most decorated faces in PWG history, Chris Hero. From the moment this match began and Cobb successfully executed THREE deadlift throws on Hero, I knew this was gonna special. The crowd absolutely ate it up and sent chills down my spine only minutes in. This match turned into the perfect big man battle circa 2016. So many strikes, throws, & slams. It just felt like a war between two giants and that's what it was. Something totally different from anything else on this show and it ruled. Cobb looked spectacular in his debut match and made one hell of an impression despite coming out on the losing end. Match of the night.
Match rating - ****
6) Drew Galloway vs. Michael Elgin
Brian Cage was unable to make the show tonight so Drew Galloway is left without an opponent which leads to him coming out and issuing an open challenge. Big Mike accepts it and Drew calls him a pussy. Bad move, jack. A brawl ensues and gets this off to a hot start only for it to simmer down soon after causing me to lose interest, pretty much completely. It just felt like it went too long for an impromptu match. If these two had went out there and had a sprint, it would've came across way better. Galloway wins with an implant DDT.
Match rating - **1/4
7) Roderick Strong vs. Sami Callihan
"Asking Roderick Strong to choose his favorite backbreaker is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child." -Excalibur
And I thought Roddy's hype/heat may die down after he lost the title, but boy I've never been so happy to be wrong in my life. The former champ comes out to Zack Sabre Jr's music to troll the fans and cuts a promo rationalizing the injury that Sabre has which kept him from competing tonight. Roddy's 2014-present run in PWG is legendary, officially. I don't want it to end. He throws the mic like a dickhead and patronizes Excalibur from the ring as he does introductions. Bell rings and he charges Sami with a boot to the face for a quick 2 and a half count. This one nearly got taken home early! The two brawl around outside and do some unique spots. Sami cannonballs and eats shit into some chairs. Roddy regains control at this point and really wears down Sami. He doesn't do anything special, but it's Roderick Strong in PWG circa 2016 so it's gold. These two really just beat the hell out of each other here. It was honestly an exhausting slugfest that unfolded. Sami starts firing back and we get a nearfall or two. Callihan hits a TIGER DRIVER 98' out of nowhere for a 1..2..ADAM COLE PULLS RICK KNOX OUT OF THE RING! Fuck my life, here we go again. Roddy takes charge and hits a gibson driver for a two count, but DALTON CASTLE PULLS KNOX OUT THIS GO ROUND! Dalton Castle is out here, what the fuck. Roddy dives into Castle and comes back in firing away. There's some more pull out type interference. In the end, Roddy nails Callihan with the end of heartache for the win. Super enjoyable main event. It's clear Roddy & Sabre have one more chapter after this, atleast I hope so.
Match rating - ***1/2
Post match, Adam Cole helps Roddy up and starts kicking Callihan. Dalton Castle runs back in and takes out Roddy. Cole poses cockily not knowing Castle is behind him and turns around just in time to get swung around by the party peacock himself. Cole falls to the floor as Roddy leaves without helping. Mount Rushmore 2.0 troubles continue to be teased. It's also interesting to note that Cole was billed as a member of Bullet Club tonight and not Rushmore. But anyway, Castle and Callihan come face to face to end the show with a... kiss? Yep. This show ends with Sami Callihan kissing Dalton Castle on the lips, not once, but twice. Castle has officially had his first PWG moment and Sami Callihan just added another one to his list. Unreal.
